European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso has said he "regrets" the Conservatives' decision to leave the European Parliament's EPP group.

Speaking after talks with Gordon Brown in Downing Street, Mr Barroso said he had spoken to David Cameron about the plan "on a number of occasions".

He said groupings like the centre-right EPP helped shape the EU's agenda.

The Tories hope to set up a new group, which party leader Mr Cameron said was a "profoundly" necessary change.

The Conservatives informed the European People's Party (EPP) last week that they intend to leave it in May.